Rotatable and Breathable Group Disc Swing

ABSTRACT

A swing device capable of rotational and back and forth swinging motion. A single individual may enjoy the device, but the device is capable of accommodating multiple riders at one time. The swing device hangs from a support structure, such as a tree limb. An upper support system, comprised of sheathed connectors, fasten around the tree limb. At the base of the upper support system is a swivel joint that connects to the lower support system. The lower support system is comprised of support connectors, connector clamps and a disc swing seat. Each support connector has a clamp at its end for attaching the connector to the outer ring of the disc swing seat. The seat comprises an outer ring that is covered with highly durable, breathable material that can accommodate several individual users thereon. The breathable material keeps the swing seat cool, even after prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/430,774 filed on Jan. 7, 2011, entitled “Happy-Go-Round Swing.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains generally to the field of playgroundequipment. More specifically, the present invention describes a swingthat is freely rotatable and capable of pivoting about a common swiveljoint. The device accommodates multiple users simultaneously dependingon the weight bearing capacity of the support structure from which theswing device hangs. The swing seat is sufficiently large as to holdmultiple children and its construction is capable of bearing the weightof adult users, while providing a breathable and comfortable seatedposition.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many individuals enjoy their leisure time outdoors. Playing, takingwalks or enjoying a swing are all popular outdoor activities. Benchswings are relaxing devices having a forward and back rocking motion,intended to allow fore-aft travel of the bench for comfort of the user.Hammocks are similarly popular outdoor rocking devices that allow aside-to-side rocking motion while the user lies down and relaxes, restsor sleeps. While relaxing devices such as these are an enjoyable use ofone's time, the rocking motions created therefrom do not elicit a senseof excitement or surprise during use, which some individuals may preferover relaxing leisure swinging. Swings found on a playground offer moreexcitement to the swinging individual as they allow for the individualto swing a farther distance forward and backward, rising higher than abench swing or hammock possibly could swing. However, pendulum motion ofthis type of device is predictable in nature, limiting its ability toexcite.

Some individuals enjoy the fun and surprise associated with a swingcapable that moves in all directions, pivotable from a tie-down locationor pivot point. This type of swinging motion is commonly associated withtire swings, which are capable of motion about a single pivot point andnot merely a back and forth motion. It is submitted that a swing that iscapable of spinning while swinging in multiple directions results inincreased merriment and enjoyment. However, there are several problemsassociated with the use of tire swings and devices of this type. Forexample, since the seat of a tire swing is made from that which it isnamed—a tire—the rubber of the tire can become extremely hot in directsunshine, making it practically impossible to sit on the tire incomfort. When the seat of the tire swing is too hot, it greatly reducesthe amount of enjoyment derived from a tire swing.

Another problem associated with tire swings is that multiple riders aretypically necessary to balance the tire swing seat so that the swingoperates properly. An unbalanced tire swing does not swing as well; theseat may not remain level with only a single swinging individual seatedon one section of the tire with no other swinging companion to balancethe seat on the other side of the tire. The hole in the middle of thetire, through which swinging individuals can hang their legs whileseated on the tire swing, prevents a single individual from spanningacross the tire to balance the tire seat by him or herself.

The present invention is an improved swing device capable of seatingmultiple users at one time. The seat of the swing is shaped like a ringand is covered with a highly durable, breathable material to form theseat of the swing device. The device hangs down from a supportstructure—i.e., a large, sturdy tree limb or a support beam of aplayground—by connecting members. The connectors attach to the swingseat at a plurality of evenly spaced points by clamps, which aremechanisms designed to secure the connectors to the seat of the swingdevice. A swivel joint located near where the swing connectors secure tothe overhead support, enabling the device to swivel and to swing in alldirections. More specifically, the seat is allowed precession androtation about the swivel joint.

Several attempts have been made to develop an improved swing device withvarying degrees of success. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,483 toHoffman describes a spinning wheel play swing assembly. The devicecomprises two upper chain support cables, two lower members, and anattachment point to which a spinnable wheel swing seat connects. TheHoffman device hangs from an overhead support, such as a tree limb or ahorizontal member of a playground arrangement, from the two upper chainsupport cables. These support cables connect to the lower members, whichconverge and attach to an attachment point on the spinnable wheel swingseat. The seat of the swing device is shaped like a wheel and has threespokes that incline towards the center of the wheel and converge aroundthe attachment point, forming a hub—inside which the components thatpermit the device to freely spin are located. The top of the attachmentpoint is the receiving eye of a bolt for connecting to the lower membersof the device. The bolt extends downward and attaches to the othercomponents housed inside the hub. There within, the spin enablingcomponents of the wheel seat include an alignment bushing, a thrustbearing, a washer and a locking nut. The attachment bolt extendsdownward through the alignment bushing, the thrust bearing and thewasher. The locking nut ensures that the swing seat stays connected atthe attachment point with the support cables. In essence of operation,the seat of the device is free to rotate or spin around the attachmentbolt.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,686 to Brown describes a tire swingdevice that is capable of hanging from a support structure in multipleconfigurations so as to achieve different modes of swinging motion, suchas circular or swivel motion and back and forth movement. The swingdevice comprises of a tire seat, upper and lower suspension connectors,a plurality of carabineers, a swivel connection and one or two supportbars to suspend the swing from depending on the desired swing motion tobe achieved and the respective configuration that is required to achievethat motion. One configuration, intended to achieve pivotal or circularswinging motion, connects the upper suspension connectors to two supportbars, each at two points. Each upper suspension connector connects to asingle carabineer. The carabineer attaches to the top end of a swivelconnection to which a second carabineer attaches at the bottom end ofthe swivel connection. From the second carabineer attaches a pluralityof lower suspension connectors that extend down to the tire seat andconnect the seat to the suspension system. The lower suspensionconnectors connect to the tire seat at evenly spaced intervals.

The device described in the Brown patent, while versatile, has a fewidentifiable drawbacks. First, each time a user desires to change theconfiguration of the swing to achieve a different swinging motion, theuser must elevate him or herself to the support bar and manually changethe configuration. This task cannot be accomplished by a singleindividual because the weight of the swing, in conjunction with theforce of gravity, prohibits the user from detaching the suspensionconnectors from the carabineers unless a second individual holds thetire up, thereby providing slack in the suspension connectors so theyare easy to manipulate. Second, a traditional tire seat for a tire swingbecomes very hot to the touch when exposed to the sun. Individuals donot enjoy enduring uncomfortable temperatures to sit on a tire swing.The third common problem with tire swings, like the Brown device, isthat the tire typically requires multiple riders to keep the tire levelfor proper swing operation. Due to the hole in the middle of the tireseat, individuals are forced to sit with their legs through the hole.When only a single individual is seated on a tire swing, the tire seattilts under the individual's weight, causing the tire seat to no longerbe level. A tilted tire swing seat does not swing particularly well. Thepresent invention is a tire swing-like device that is capable ofaccommodating multiple individuals, or a single individual. The seat ofthe present invention is a ring shape that is covered in a strong,breathable, fabric material that prevents the swing from becoming toohot even when the swing is in direct sunlight. The covering makes theseat of the swing a disc and multiple riders can sit in the center ofthe swing, or a single individual could span across the seat, if sodesired.

Like the Hoffman and Brown swing devices, U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,463 toSoisson describes a swing device capable of back and forth swingingmotion, as well as rotational motion, and incorporates a disc platform,which serves as the swing seat. The swing comprises a set of supportstrands which connect the disc platform seat to an overhead supportmember from which the device hangs. The support member could be a treelimb or a horizontal beam that is part of a playground arrangement.Fastened securely to the support member, the support strands hangdownward and attach to the disc platform. The disc platform furthercomprises a peripheral ring, which has a plurality of evenly spacedholes along the circumference of the ring. The support strands insertthrough the holes, entering from the top of the disc and exiting fromthe bottom. On the underside of the disc ring, there are depressions,each equipped with a lock bar to which the support strands securely tieby utilizing a series of loop knots.

The Soisson device does not feature a swivel joint or a series ofcarabineers to achieve the rotational motion of the swing. Rather, theriders must wind up the swing support strands by spinning the swing in arotational direction. As the swing winds up, the support strandsconverge together and twist around one another. Either a rider winds theswing device his or herself, climbs on to the disc platform and thenreleases the swing, or another individual, or bystander, winds the swingwhile a rider, or riders, sit on the disc platform in anticipation ofthe release. The rider, or riders, enjoy the rotational motionassociated with the support strands unwinding. The Soisson device isonly capable of a limited amount of rotational motion; i.e., the swingcan only rotate or spin as much as the wound support strands allow.Thus, rotational swinging when enjoying use of the Soisson device islimited. The present invention offers rotational motion that is onlylimited by the user's desire to enjoy it. The present invention hangsfrom a support member by an upper support system and a lower supportsystem. At the bottom of the upper support system, there is a swiveljoint with an eye hook protruding from the bottom. The eye connects to asecond eye at the top of the lower support system. The swivel jointallows for the lower support system, and attached swing seat, to freelyrotate as much as desired by the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,540 to Caulkins focuses on a mounting means for aswing device that is capable of achieving free rotation of the attachedswing. The Caulkins patent describes a ball and socket joint support foruse mounting a swing, which allows for the free rotation and pivoting ofthe connected swing in any direction. The device features a saddlebracket, which mounts to a support beam—for example, a tree limb or asupport beam of playground equipment. From the saddle bracket, thereextends downward a bolt-holding ball set within a ball socket. The ballsocket opening faces directly downward, with the bolt held by thebolt-holding ball pointed towards the ground. Attached to the end of thebolt is an eye, which the chains that hold the swing connect to.

The ball joint described by Caulkins allows for the free movement of theattached swing in any direction and also enables the swing to spin.Conversely, the present invention incorporates a swivel joint achievesboth rotational, as well as back and forth swinging motion. The swiveljoint of the present invention hangs from the bottom of upper supportsystem. The swivel joint comprises a bearing and has an eye hookprotruding from the bottom. The eye connects to a second eye that islocated at the top of the lower support system. The swivel joint allowsfor the lower support system, and attached swing seat, to freely rotateas much as desired, while the pairing of eye hooks allows for the swingdevice to swing back and forth.

It is therefore submitted that the present invention substantiallydiverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it isclear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existingswing devices. In this regard the instant invention substantiallyfulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofswinging devices now present in the prior art, the present inventionprovides a new improvement to tire swings wherein the improvements canbe utilized for providing a means of keeping the swing device cool whenexposed to direct sunlight and providing a multi-user swing that canrotate in a plurality of directions for enjoyment. The present inventionallows multiple riders to sit on the swing seat in new configurationswhen compared to tire swings having a hole at its center and havinglimited seating configurations.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved swing device capable of seating multiple individuals, remainingthermally comfortable to the touch, and features no hole in the centerof the swing seat for ease of positioning. The present invention has allof the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention to provide an improved swingdevice capable of seating multiple riders at one time and allowing forthe seated individuals to arrange themselves in any desired seatingconfiguration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a swing that iscapable of achieving rotational motion and back and forth swingingmotion from a single pivot point, without limitation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a swing seatthat is thermally comfortable to the touch, even when the swing seat isexposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in an installedposition while not in use, suspending from a tree limb.

FIG. 2 is a close up perspective view of the swivel joint and thepresent invention hanging from a tree limb.

FIG. 3 is a close up perspective view of the connector clamps of thedevice connecting to the disc swing seat of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the improved swing device. For the purposes of presenting abrief and clear description of the present invention, the preferredembodiment will be discussed as an outdoor swing hanging from a treelimb. The figures are intended for representative purposes only andshould not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the present invention. The device is divided into twosupport systems: the upper support system 16, which attaches to theoverhead support structure 11 and features the swivel joint 13, and thelower support system 18, which connects the swing seat to the overalldevice. The two systems are required for the device to achieve both therotational and the back and forth swinging motion. The upper supportsystem 16 and the lower support system 18 are connected together by aswivel joint 13 and a pair of eye hooks 14, 15. The swivel joint allowsfor the swing to achieve rotational motion, and the pairing of eye hooksenables the device to achieve a back and forth swinging motion. Theupper support system 16 hangs from a support structure 11, such as atree limb or from a horizontal beam of playground equipment, andcomprises the support structure connectors 22, connector sheathing 12 toprotect the support structure connectors 22, the swivel joint 13 with aprotruding upper support system eye hook 14, and a swivel jointprotective casing 23, which conceals the connection point between thesupport connectors and the swivel joint.

The lower support structure 18 attaches to the upper support system eyehook 14 by the lower support system eye hook 15. The lower supportsystem eye hook 15 also attaches to the support connectors 17 of thepresent invention. Each support connector 17 has a first end and asecond end. The first end connects to the attachment point of the lowersupport system eye hook 15, whereby the same attachment point issheathed by a second protective casing 24. At the second end of eachsupport connector 17, there is a connector clamp 21, which attaches thesupport connectors 17 of the lower support system 18 to the outer ring20 of the disc seat 19 of the present invention via a clampingmechanism. The outer ring 20 of the present invention is sheathed with ahighly durable, breathable fabric material covering to form the discseat 19 along the interior of the outer ring 20. The fabric material isintended to keep the seating surface relatively cool to the touch sothat users can enjoy the seat of the swing, and thus swinging, even whenthe device is exposed to direct, hot summer sunlight for extendedperiods of time.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the uppersupport system of the present invention. The support structureconnectors 22 which suspend the device from a support member 11 areprotected by a protective sheathing 12. The sheathing 12 may be a rubberor polymer material that reduces friction and wear to the connectors 22that could result from direct contact of the connectors 22 with thesupport member 11 and loads imparted by a swinging user or users. Treebark, for example, can be a particularly abrasive to connector. Thesupport structure connectors 22 converge and attach to the swivel joint13. The swivel joint 13 comprises of a bearing that allows for freerotation of the upper support system eye hook 14, which protrudes fromthe bottom of the swivel joint 13. The connection between the supportstructure connectors 22 and the swivel joint 13 is concealed by aprotective casing 23, which is the first of two. The upper eye hook 14connects to the lower eye hook 15, which connects to the supportconnectors 17 of the swing device. A second protective casing 24conceals the connection point where the lower eye hook 15 fastens to thesupport connectors 17. In this embodiment, the first 23 and secondprotective casings 24 are depicted as spherical in shape, but are notlimited to being so shaped.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of theconnector clamps of the present invention. At the second end of eachsupport connector 17 there attaches a connector clamp 21. The connectorclamp 21 secures the support connectors 17 to the outer ring 20 of thedisc seat 19. Each connector clamp comprises of a C-shaped clamp cuff 25encased in clamp housing 26. A suspension spring 27 connects the clamphousing 26 to the support connector connection point 29, where thesupport connector connects to the clamp. The C-cuff 25 of the clampopens and closes with the operation of a handle 28, which attaches tothe cuff. When the clamp is in the closed configuration, the clamphousing protects the handle from unintentional and accidental operationas the C-cuff grips and holds the swing seat in place. In the openconfiguration, the handle opens the C-cuff of the clamp, resulting inthe release of the swing seat from the clamp.

Located on the outer ring 20 of the disc swing seat 19 there are smallareas that indicate where the connector clamps 21 attach to the swingseat. These areas can be denoted by a different color of fabric, or setoff from the rest of the outer ring by slightly elevated plastic markers29, in between which the connector clamps should attach to the swingseat. Indication of where the clamps should attach helps to ensure thatthe swing seat is balanced when hanging from the lower support system.

To operate the connector clamp, a user places the indicated attachmentpoint of the outer ring of the swing seat inside the open C-cuff of theconnector clamp. The user then depresses the clamp handle into theclosed configuration. As the cuff closes, it grips the outer ring of theswing seat tightly. Once the device is hanging from a support structure,and when all of the connector clamps are securely fastened to the discseat, the swing device may be used. In an alternate embodiment thatrequired fewer parts and expense, the connectors may be tied or directlyconnected to the outer ring during construction of the device.

The present invention can be manufactured in a variety of colors andsizes. The material that covers the disc seat of the device can be oneof many stretchable materials, including but not limited to, trampolinefabric, nylon or a similar material with water resistant or water proofproperties. The material may further allow air penetration and waterpermeability to prevent overheating and pooling of water. The lengthsassociated with the support connectors can vary as well, depending onthe height of the support structure from which the device is to hang.

A swing device capable of rotational and pivotable swinging motion isdescribed. The device may be enjoyed by a single individual; however,the device is capable of accommodating multiple riders simultaneouslywhile the users are positioned in any desirable configuration. The swingdevice hangs from a support structure, such as a tree limb or supportbeam on playground equipment. An upper support system, comprised ofconnectors sheathed in rubber, fasten around the tree limb. At thebottom of the upper support system is a swivel joint that connects tothe lower support system. The lower support system comprises of supportconnectors, connector clamps and a disc swing seat. Each supportconnector has a connector clamp at its end, is tied or directlyconnected to the ring. The connector clamps attach to the outer ring ofthe disc swing seat. The seat is an outer ring that is covered withhighly durable, breathable fabric material. The breathable materialkeeps the swing seat cool to the touch, even when exposed to directsunlight.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in theart, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1) A swing device capable of rotational and pivotable swinging motion,comprising: an upper support system; a lower support system; said upperand said lower support systems connected together by a swivel joint thatpermits free rotation and pivotable swinging motion of said lowersupport system, a disc swing seat having an outer ring and an innerseating surface; said upper support system further comprising supportstructure connectors for attaching said swivel joint to said supportstructure, said lower support system further comprising supportconnectors for attaching said swivel joint to said disc swing seat. 2)The device of claim 1, wherein said swivel joint further comprises afirst eye hook and a second eye hook, whereby said first eye hook islocated at the bottom of said swivel joint and said second eye hook isconnected to said first eye hook and located at the top of said bottomsupport system. 3) The device of claim 1, wherein said support structureconnectors are sheathed in a durable material to prevent wear on saidconnectors. 4) The device of claim 1, wherein each lower support systemconnector has a first end and a second end, whereby each first end ofsaid connector converges and connects to said swivel joint and saidsecond end attaches to said disc swing outer ring. 5) The device ofclaim 4, wherein said second end attachment further comprises aremovable connector clamp. 6) The device of claim 4, wherein saidconnector clamps further comprise a C-shaped clamp cuff, a clamphousing, a handle for operating said clamp, a suspension spring whichconnects the clamp housing to said second end of said support connectorvia a support connector connection point. 7) The device of claim 6,wherein said clamp and clamp handle have two configurations: an openstate, which releases said disc swing seat, and a closed state whichcauses said C-cuff to clamp onto said disc swing seat and causes saidclamp housing to protect said handle from unintentional and accidentaloperation. 8) The device of claim 1, wherein said inner seating surfaceof said disc swing seat further comprises an elastic, breathablematerial.